GIN 2015 Archives

On whether immigration should be addressed on a congressional or grassroots level:“In a democracy, you hope that it starts at the grassroots and that the grassroots exert their influence on our elected representatives, and then they enact legislation that reflects the best interest and desires of the public. It’s not always that way, but that’s the way our government is supposed to function.”

On how people in society can deal with these types of issues:“I think we need activism and engagement — I think our country depends upon it: active, engaged, well-informed citizenry.”

On the nature of our democracy and how it combats certain problems:“We have a democracy that pre-supposes that the people will be involved in the exercise of power…because in a democracy, the people who have the power are exercising their power in the name of the people, by definition.”

On what he thinks of immigration policy:“I’m in favor of a generous immigration policy that will legalize nearly everyone who is in the country illegally now. But then, the other part of the deal should do what the ‘86 act promised but failed to deliver, which was cut off or greatly limit future illegal immigration. Because I think otherwise if we have a legalization program and don’t have enforcement…the whole world is going to say, ‘Boy, the United States is a pretty nice country, but not serious about enforcing their immigration laws — let’s just go.’ That’s one of the legacies of the ‘86 act, and I would not want to see the same cycle repeat itself with new legislation.”

​On improving legislative measures:“I think if you say you’re going to solve a problem, you should not rig your legislation in such a way where it’s promising something it has no intention of doing.”